Two Brockton area women start support group for young breast cancer patients

What began as a devastating diagnosis for Lori Picanco and Wendy LaFrance has flourished into a friendship that now brings hope to other women battling breast cancer. About six months ago, both women, who are in their 30s, started a support group for other young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

By Maria Papadopoulos

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Oct. 1, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 1, 2010 at 1:10 AM

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Oct. 1, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 1, 2010 at 1:10 AM

STOUGHTON

» Social News

What began as a devastating diagnosis for Lori Picanco and Wendy LaFrance has flourished into a friendship that now brings hope to other young women battling breast cancer.

About six months ago, both women, who are in their 30s, started a support group for other young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

The idea came from their oncologist, Dr. Karim Malek, chief of oncology and hematology at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton.

“I thought we had an unmet need in our area,” Malek said.

So, he pitched the idea for a new support group to Picanco, a married mother of two living in Stoughton.

Picanco, 35, who underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2009, said the group caters to younger women facing the illness.

She and LaFrance, 39, of Brockton, said they once went to a support group for breast cancer patients that met outside of the area.

“It’s surreal. We walked in and everybody else there was 65 and above,” Picanco said. “Sometimes it’s just one of those things where you feel like a fish out of water.”

Now, their informal support group has about six members, comprised of local women who meet every month or two for dinner and other outings, LaFrance said.

“It’s a different type of bond that you have than with your other friends,” LaFrance said.

Picanco said the group has helped young women realize they are not alone in their battle with breast cancer.

“It’s very isolating at this age to have that type of a diagnosis,” Picanco said.

On Oct. 3, both women will be join the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk in Boston.